Physics for Engineers

Laboratory Manual
Malajito, I.M.

Experiment on Law of Conservation of Energy and

Collision and Momentum

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the experiment, the student will be able to:

1. Articulate the law of conservation of energy and the law of conservation of momentum
2. Comprehend the transformation of energy from one form to another
3. Compute for the total mechanical energy and total momentum of the system

Materials:

 Triple beam balance

 iron stand with iron clamp
 Object that can be hanged on a pendulum
 Meterstick
 Board or plane (5 pcs)
 Marble small size (10 pieces)
 Marble big size (5 pieces)

Set-up

Please see board.

Procedure:

A. Law of Conservation of Energy

1. Get the mass of the object.
2. Tie the object with a string, such that the object would hang from the iron clamp to few cm
above the floor. The iron stand where the iron clamp is attached must be on the side of the
table. Figure a.
3. Get the length of the string.
4. Hold the object on a height as shown in Figure b. Record that as h1.
5. Set the timer to zero and be ready to get the time that the object would reach the floor.
6. Release the object and grasp it at the lowest point.
7. Record the time that the object reached the lowest point. Record that as t1.
8. Compute for the Potential Energy (PE) at position A. PE = mgh
9. Determine the value of Kinetic Energy (KE) at position A.
10. Compute for the KE at position B. KE = ½ mv2 to compute for v, use v= d/t where d = ¼(2πr)
where r is equal to the length of the string.
11. Determine the PE at position B.
12. Hold again the object at position A and release it. This time, let the object swing to the other
side until it reached the maximum height.
Physics for Engineers
Laboratory Manual
Malajito, I.M.
13. Record that height as h2.
14. Compute for PE and determine KE at position C.

B. Law of Conservation of Momentum

1. Get the mass of marble 1 and marble 2.
2. Set-up an inclined plane as shown. Let 2 metersticks guide the path of the marble 1.
3. Place marble 1 about 10 cm away from the foot of the inclined plane.
4. Hold marble 1 on top of the plane. Measure that distance and record as d1.
5. Release Marble 1 and let it slide the plane. Record the time that it reached the bottom of the
inclined plane. Record that as t1.
6. Compute for the velocity of Marble 1: v= d1/t1. Record that as v1o
7. Observe how collision would happen and if possible, take video of the system. The teacher will
explain the different types of collision and compare that actual collision with that and identify
what type of collision that is.
8. Mark the distance where Marble 2 would stop and measure that distance. Record that as d2.
9. Measure also the time that Marble 2 come to rest. Record as t2.
10. Measure the distance where Marble 1 would stop. Record as d3.
11. Measure the time that Marble 1 come to rest. Record as t3
12. Compute for the momentum of each marble before and after collision.
13. Compute for the total momentum and total kinetic energy of the system.

Group Data:

Note: All calculations must be submitted. Place your solution on yellow paper.

A. Law of Conservation of Energy

Mass of the object = ___________g; _________ kg
Length of the string = __________ cm; _________m

Potential Energy Kinetic Energy

Position A:
h1 = ______ cm; _______ m
t1 = ______ s
__________ J __________ J
Position B
v = ________ m/s
__________ J __________ J
Position C
h2 = ______ cm; _______m
t2 = ______s
__________ J __________ J

B. Law of Conservation of Momentum

Mass of marble 1 = ______ g; _______ kg
Physics for Engineers
Laboratory Manual
Malajito, I.M.
Mass of marble 2 = ______ g; ________ kg

Momentum Kinetic Energy

Before Collision:
Marble 1:
d1: _________cm; _______m
t1: ________s
v1o: _______m/s
Momentum and KE of Marble 1 ________ kg m/s _________ J
Marble 2:
Momentum and KE of Marble 1 ________ kg m/s _________ J
During Collision:
Type of Collision: __________________

After Collision:
Marble 1:
d3: _________cm; ________m
t3: _________s
Momentum and KE of Marble 1 ________ kg m/s _________ J
Marble 2:
d2: _______ cm; ________m
t2: _______cm; ________m

Momentum and KE of Marble 2 ________ kg m/s _________ J

Analysis of Data (Individual Report): The teacher will explain.